Answer
The ACTH stimulation test is given to see if the patient has functioning adrenal glands(cortices)
Work Step by Step
Normally the adrenal cortex produces corticoid hormones in response to ACTH stimulation. In the ACTH stimulation test, the medical provider will establish baselines by testing for the amount of cortisol and aldosterone in the patient's blood and urine (ug/dL). Synthetic ACTH will the be injected and the levels of aldosterone measured at various intervals. If the baseline is low 10-15ug/dL for both hormones and barely increases -- by about 20 to 15 %after stimulation this is taken as an indication that the patient has primary adrenal insufficiency ( Addison,s disease
